Crystal Clear

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

Crystal Clear provides a comparative analysis of epidemiological, behavioural and social research on crystal methamphetamine use among gay men living in Melbourne and gay men living in other urban centres in Australia, the US, and the UK. The analysis focuses on the harms associated with gay men’s use of the drug and in particular on research that indicates an association between crystal methamphetamine use and increased sexual risk-taking and rising rates of HIV and STIs. The paper reviews current crystal methamphetamine treatment and prevention options for gay men and provides a framework for the development of a coordinated research, policy and program response that will reduce the harms to gay men associated with the use of crystal methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.

The paper is based on a report on rates and patterns of crystal methamphetamine use among gay men living in Melbourne funded by Communicable Diseases Branch, Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS).